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Anran Zhao
I am passionate about quantitative analysis of educational data. I have experiences in analysing international large-scale assessment data, factor analysis and item response theory.
Education
PhD. Candidate, Education (thesis under examination)
The University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Current - 2017
- Supervisors: Prof. Gavin T. L. Brown & Dr Kane Meissel
- Thesis: Sources of Sample Bias in PISA: Selectivity and Effort Differences between Shanghai and New Zealand
- The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is arguably one of the most influential international large-scale assessments and Shanghai in 2009 and 2012 outperformed the world in mathematics, reading, and science literacy. However, the legitimacy of such a comparison is questionable if sample bias exists among the jurisdictions. Two possible biases were evaluated in the thesis by comparing Shanghai with New Zealand: the similarity of tested population and the degree of effort in test-taking when a country’s repuation is at stake.
MA, Education
China Agricultural University
Beijing, China
2015 - 2013
- Thesis: A comparison of art curriculum between China and the United States in K12 education.
BA, Civil Engineering; Finance (Minor)
China Agricultural University
Beijing, China
2013 - 2009
- Designed various building plans for the dairy farm agricultural industry.
- Developed good mathematical skills including calculus, algebra and linear algebra.
Research Experience
Research Assistant
N/A
The University of Auckland
Feb.2021 - Dec.2020
- Title: Measuring education vulnerability, for Dr. Ritesh Shah
- Investigates students’ behavioural change due to distance learning as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in Palestine.
Research Assistant
Quant Dare
The University of Auckland
Oct.2020 - Sep.2020
- Title: Creative schools initiative research project, for Prof. Peter O’Connor
- Multivariate data analysis and data visulisation for creative school index for the New Zealand school data.
- Zhao, A. (2020, October). CSI School Creativity Survey: NZ Norms Analysis. (Quant-DARE Tech. Rep. #2020_05). The University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ.
Research Assistant
N/A
The University of Auckland
Jul.2020 - May.2020
- Title: Review of research in teaching and learning of writing, for Prof. Judy Parr
- Conducted systematic literature searches, complied spreadsheets of contents for a review study on teaching and learning of writing.
Research Assistant
Quant Dare
The University of Auckland
Aug.2018
- Title: Portuguese university students’ conceptions of assessment: taking responsibility for achievement
- Independently analyzed statistical models of students’ conceptions of assessment inventory for Portuguese higher education institutional data.
- Flores, M.A., Brown, G., Pereira, D. et al. Portuguese university students’ conceptions of assessment: taking responsibility for achievement. High Educ 79, 377–394 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00415-2
Teaching Experience
I am also passionate about teaching. The interaction that happens in the classroom is intelectually stimulating and rewarding.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Jun.2021 - Mar.2021
- Course: SOCWORK 718, Applied Research in Social Services
- Marking students’ assignments for research methodology and research proposals
Graduate Teaching Assistant
N/A
The University of Auckland
2020 - 2018
- Course: EDUC 706, Measurement and Advanced Statistics
- Lead tutorial sessions for an advanced statistical analysis for research in education course for three consecutive semesters.
Publications, Posters, and Talks
New Zealand Students’ Test-Taking Motivation: A Quasi-Experimental Study Examining the Effects of Stakes
N/A
N/A
In Review
- Authored with Gavin T.L. Brown, Kane Meissel
Manipulating the Consequences of Tests: How Shanghai Teens React to Different Consequences
N/A
N/A
In Review
- Authored with Gavin T.L. Brown, Kane Meissel
The Impact of Stakes on Students’ Test-taking Motivation
The ITC 12th Conference on Tests and Testing
N/A
2021
- Presentation was accepted and postponed to 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19.
- Zhao, A., Brown, G. T. L., & Meissel, K. (2020, July). The impact of stakes on students’ test-taking motivation, a quasi-experimental study in Shanghai. Paper accepted for the biennial meeting of the International Test Commission, Luxemburg. (conference cancelled)
Propensity Score Matching and Its Application in PISA
The Psychological Studies in Education and Social Work, University of Auckland
N/A
2020
- Gave a talk on using propensity score matching to create post hoc balanced samples in oberservational studies.
The Influence of Stakes on Students’ Test-taking Motivation: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Shanghai
Doctoral and Postgraduate Symposium, University of Auckland
N/A
2019
- Students’ conceptions of assessment influences their test-taking motivation.
- Students reported high levels of effort expenditure regardless of test-taking stakes.